What a universal remote does and why you need to set it up
A universal remote is a single remote control that works with multiple devices — your TV, soundbar, streaming box, or cable box — instead of juggling three or four different remotes. Before you can use it, you have to tell the remote which devices you own and teach it how to communicate with them. This process is called pairing or programming.
Most universal remotes work in one of two ways: they either learn commands by pointing at your original remote, or they search through a built-in database of device codes until they find the one that matches your equipment. The method depends on which remote you bought and which devices you're connecting.
Key Takeaways
- Universal remotes need to be programmed to work with your specific TV and devices before you can use them.
- The two main methods are code entry (typing a number into the remote) and learning mode (pointing your old remote at the new one).
- You will need fresh batteries in both the universal remote and your original remote before you start.
- If you can't find your device's code, the learning method usually works as a backup for any infrared remote.
Gather what you need before starting
Have your original remote nearby — the one that came with your TV or device. You'll need it to look up codes or to teach the universal remote how to send commands. If you've lost the original remote, you can still program the universal remote using the learning method, but having it makes the process faster.
Install fresh batteries in both the universal remote and your original remote. Weak batteries are the most common reason programming fails. Most universal remotes use AA or AAA batteries; check the battery compartment on the back or bottom of the remote to see which size you need.
Find the model number of each device you want to control. This is usually printed on the back or bottom of the device itself, or you can find it in the device's manual. Write down the TV model, the cable box model, and any other device you plan to connect. You'll use these numbers to look up the correct codes.
Programming by code entry — the fastest method
Most universal remotes come with a printed code list or a website where you can search for your device. Look up your TV's model number in that list and write down the code — it's usually a three- or four-digit number. If the remote came with a manual, the code list is often in the back pages. If you have the box, check inside. If you have neither, visit the remote manufacturer's website and search for your TV model.
Turn on your TV manually using the power button on the TV itself, not the remote. Point the universal remote at the TV. Press and hold the button labeled "Setup," "Code," or "Program" (the exact name varies by remote) until a light on the remote blinks or stays on. This puts the remote into programming mode.
Type the code you found using the number buttons on the remote. Enter it slowly — one digit per second. After you've typed all the digits, press the "Power" button on the remote. If the TV turns off, the code worked. If the TV stays on, the code didn't match. Turn the TV back on and try the next code listed for your model.
Once the power button works, test the volume and channel buttons to make sure they respond. If they do, you're done with that device. Repeat the process for your cable box, soundbar, or any other device you want to control.
Programming by learning mode — when you don't have a code
If you can't find a code for your device, or if the codes you tried didn't work, use the learning method instead. This works with any remote that uses infrared (almost all TV remotes do). You'll point your original remote at the universal remote and let the universal remote "learn" each button's command.
Press and hold the "Setup" or "Program" button on the universal remote until the light blinks. The remote is now in learning mode. Point your original remote at the universal remote from about 6 inches away. Press a button on your original remote — start with the power button — and hold it for about 3 seconds. The light on the universal remote should blink to confirm it received the signal.
Now press the same button on the universal remote that you want to use for that command. Press and hold it for about 3 seconds. The light should blink again. You've now taught the universal remote what that button does. Repeat this process for every button you use regularly: power, volume up, volume down, channel up, channel down, and any others.
When you're finished teaching buttons, press the "Setup" or "Program" button again to exit learning mode. Test each button to make sure it controls the right device. If a button doesn't work, repeat the learning process for that button.
Switching between devices on your universal remote
Most universal remotes have buttons labeled with device names — TV, Cable, Aux, or Soundbar — or they have a button labeled "Device" or "Input." Before you use the remote to control a specific device, press the button for that device. This tells the remote which set of commands to send.
If your remote doesn't have labeled device buttons, check the manual to see how to switch between devices. Some remotes use a combination of buttons, like holding "Setup" and pressing a number. Once you've programmed each device with its own code or learned its buttons, switching between them should be straightforward.
Troubleshooting when the remote won't respond
If the remote doesn't control your device after programming, the most common cause is weak batteries. Replace the batteries in both the universal remote and your original remote, then try again. Batteries lose power gradually, and a remote that seems to work fine might not have enough power to program correctly.
If you used code entry and the device didn't respond, you may have entered the wrong code. Turn the device back on and try the next code listed for your model. Some devices have multiple codes, and the first one you try might not be the best match for your specific version.
If you're using learning mode and the universal remote isn't picking up signals from your original remote, move closer — within 3 inches — and try again. Make sure nothing is blocking the infrared sensor on the front of either remote. If your original remote is very old, its infrared emitter might be too weak. In that case, try the code entry method instead.
If the remote controls the device but some buttons don't work, you may have programmed an incomplete code. Go back to the code list and look for an alternate code for your model, or use learning mode to teach those specific buttons one at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reprogram the universal remote if I move to a different room?
No. Once you've programmed the remote, it remembers those settings. You can take it to any room and it will still control the same devices. The remote stores the codes in its memory, so moving it around won't erase them.
Can a universal remote work with older devices?
Most universal remotes work with devices made in the last 20 to 30 years, as long as they use infrared signals. Very old devices or newer smart devices that use WiFi or Bluetooth instead of infrared may not work. Check the remote's manual to see which device types it supports.
What if my device isn't listed in the code database?
Use the learning method to teach the universal remote your device's commands. Point your original remote at the universal remote and let it learn each button. This works with any infrared remote, even if the device isn't in the code list.
Can I program the same button to do different things on different devices?
Yes. When you switch to a different device using the device button, the same physical button on the universal remote will send a different command. For example, the power button will turn off your TV when you're in TV mode, but turn off your soundbar when you're in soundbar mode.
Will the universal remote work if my original remote is broken?
If your original remote is completely broken, you can still program the universal remote using code entry if you know your device's model number. You can also turn devices on manually and then use the universal remote to control volume and channels. Learning mode won't work without a functioning original remote.